finances Archives

Getting on the Same Team Financially in Marriage

My wife and I approach recipes differently. Jean has a degree in biochemistry. She’s smart and sees life as a series of precisely calculated moves. To her, recipes are a detailed road map to be carefully followed. If the instructions call for one cup of flour, she’ll measure exactly one cup. She’ll even use a knife to scrape off the excess.

I’m more of a free spirit with recipes. I don’t see them as “a roadmap to follow” as much as “a few things to keep in mind.” I kinda, sorta measure ingredients, but not very carefully.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: finances, marriage July 13, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Game-Changing Marriage and Money Insights

Money is one of the biggest sources of conflict in marriage.

There are two important reasons husbands and wives struggle in this area. The first is that a lot of couples assume that the solution to their financial problems is more money. It’s not. Extra income may ease a few immediate financial pressures, but it’s usually not a long-term solution.

Generally, the more money a couple earns, the more likely they are to elevate their standard of living and, therefore, their spending.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: finances, marriage, money September 23, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Managing Money Well During a Crisis

If you’re out of work and watching your savings disappear, or you’re wondering if, how, and when the economy will recover, join us for our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Managing Money Well During a Crisis.”

Michelle Singletary is our guest. She’s a financial columnist for The Washington Post and the author of a book called The 21-Day Financial Fast: Your Path to Financial Peace and Freedom. Everyone’s financial situation is unique, but she has some great ideas for your family to protect your bottom line and to navigate a crisis with faith instead of fear.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, finances, money May 15, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

4 Ways to Have Dollars and (Common) Sense During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Although Wall Street’s rout seems to have stabilized in recent days since the first surge of coronavirus cases, the volatility of the financial markets is nevertheless unprecedented in modern times.

Your perspective of this last month may mirror the late President Reagan’s witty observation of long ago:

“Recession is when your neighbor loses his job,” he once remarked. “Depression is when you lose yours.”

Economic experts are working feverishly to stabilize the markets. Part of the emergency relief plan involves stimulus checks for families – funds that should be received in the coming weeks.

Topics: Current Events Tags: Coronavirus, family, finances April 7, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Empowering Women to Take Control of Their Finances

A woman came up to author and speaker Deborah Pegues at a conference where she was speaking and said, “I lost my home after my husband died because I didn’t realize what a balloon payment was. When it came due, I didn’t have the money.”

Deborah has heard similar stories from more women than she can count. She’s a certified public account with an MBA in business finance and has written more than 20 books. She says the issue isn’t one of gender.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, finances January 6, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thriving in the Midst of Financial Ruin

Do you know what it’s like to struggle with money?

Stupid question, right? Most of us know what it’s like for the water heater to break or the car to break down and not have any money for repairs.

There’s also a trail of unfulfilled “what ifs” behind us. What if we had the money to start a college fund for our kids, to start a business, to serve other people … or, yes, to fix the water heater and the car?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, finances April 15, 2019 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Finding the Secrets to Financial and Romantic Success in Marriage

Brian and Cherie Lowe paid off $127,482.30 in debt in just over four years. They know that number to the penny because, as they’ll tell you, when you put in the work and the sacrifice to pay off a dollar amount that high, you remember it to the penny. How did they do it?

Financial foreplay.

Yep, you read that correctly. That’s a term Brian and Cherie use to explain how intricately connected finances are with marital intimacy.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, family, finances, marriage September 25, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Does It Matter If a Wife Earns More Than Her Husband?

According to a recent report from the United States Census Bureau, most people believe it’s “socially desirable” for the husband to earn more than his wife.

In fact, in the event that a wife does earn more than her husband, researchers discovered that couples tend to downplay or under report the financial difference.

Why?

Obviously, there’s a lot of history, tradition and even controversy surrounding this topic. For instance, the issue of pay equity is hotly debated and often comes up in the midst of political campaigns.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, finances, husband, marriage, wife August 1, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Discovering Your Money Type

There’s a reason that Jesus talked so much about money: Our relationship with God and our stewardship over money are inextricably connected. He said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, ESV).

God wants to help us align the desires of our hearts – what we love, what we’re passionate about – with the stewardship of our resources. Stewardship isn’t about building our own kingdoms. It’s about using money in a way that brings God glory and furthers His kingdom.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, finances April 16, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Focus on the Family Best Seller List

Week Ending January 12, 2018.

Enjoy!: The Gift of Sexual Pleasure for Women (by Cliff & Joyce Penner)
The Married Guy’s Guide to Great Sex (by Cliff & Joyce Penner)
Little Book of Great Dates (by Dr. Greg & Erin Smalley)
Kingdom Woman (by Tony Evans, Chrystal Evans Hurst)
Financial Peace Junior Kit (by Dave Ramsey)
Put the Disciple Into Discipline (by Erin MacPherson)
Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story (Ken & Joni Eareckson Tada)
The Case for Life (by Scott Klusendorf)
The Kindness Challenge (by Shaunti Feldhahn)
NIrV Adventures in Odyssey Children’s Bible
Cherish (by Gary Thomas)
Martin Luther (by Eric Metaxas)
Openness Unhindered (by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield)
Honey, We Need to Talk (by David E.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, finances, marriage, relationships January 19, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura